Understanding the Carbide & Cover Snow Plow Blade Set-up:
Mastering Alignment, Installation, and Use of Plow Guards

In our previous post, we discussed how to select the best cover blade for your carbide and cover set-up based on material properties, bolt hole gauge, and blade height. We showed you how to calculate your blade set-up alignment to ensure your alignment is what you expect. Now, we’ll list the best standard configurations you can choose today to get great performance and durability. We’ll also go over proper installation steps, as well as the importance of plow guards for optimal performance and longevity.

Proper alignment is crucial for ensuring that your carbide blade is adequately protected and wears evenly. The ideal set-up positions the bottom of the steel cover blade approximately 1/2″ below the bottom of the carbide blade. This alignment allows the steel blade to wear into the carbide blade, providing full protection for the carbide inserts against impacts.

Here’s a quick reference list of set-ups you can use based on which carbide blade you choose and your attack angle.

1. CB-5:1.5 + SB-6:2
   If you are using a 5″ carbide blade with a 1.5″ bolt hole gauge, you should choose a steel cover blade that is 6″ tall with a 2″ bolt hole gauge. This will align the bottom of the steel cover blade 1/2″ below the carbide blade. We recommend this as the ideal alignment for a carbide and cover set-up.

   
2. CB-6:2 + SB-6:1.5
   If you are using a 6″ carbide blade with a 2″ bolt hole gauge, you should choose a steel cover blade that is 6″ tall with a 1.5″ bolt hole gauge. This will align the bottom of the steel cover blade 1/2″ below the carbide blade. We recommend this as the ideal alignment for a carbide and cover set-up.

   
3. CB-6:1.5 + SB-6:1.5*
   If you are using a 6″ carbide blade with a 1.5″ bolt hole gauge, you should choose a steel cover blade that is 6″ tall with a 1.5″ bolt hole gauge. This will align the bottom of the steel cover blade even with the carbide blade. This is not ideal but will still offer some protection for the carbide inserts if the plow is run at a steep attack angle. If a 65° attack angle is used, the carbide inserts will be worn in before the steel cover provides complete protection. This could lead to unwanted damage or premature wear.

   
4. CB-5:1.5 + SB-8:4
   IMPORTANT for Center Punched Steel Cover Blades: We ONLY recommend a 5” tall carbide blade with a 1.5” bolt hole gauge when using an 8” tall center punched steel cover blade. If your carbide blade is taller or has a larger bolt hole gauge, the center punched cover blade won’t protect the carbide inserts and may not wear until the carbide inserts are worn through.

   

Proper Carbide and Cover Installation

Proper installation is equally important for getting the most out of your carbide and cover set-up. Always start with a clean moldboard and blades. After installation, check the bolt torque after the first 10 hours of plowing. Re-check bolt torque periodically throughout the season as part of your regular snow plow blade maintenance to prevent debris buildup. Debris buildup will eventually cause blades to break and/or increase the potential for bolt failures.

Understanding Plow Guards

Plow guards are another essential component of a well-functioning carbide and cover set-up. When subjected to heavy use, the end of the plow may experience uneven wear or washout, where road debris and salt erode the front of the blade and expose the carbide inserts. Installing plow guards on the ends of the plow prevents this, ensuring even wear across the entire length of the plow so your blades last as long as possible.

Mastering the alignment, installation, and use of plow guards is essential for getting the most out of your carbide and cover snow plow blade set-up. By following best practices and regularly maintaining your blades, you can optimize performance, minimize wear, and extend the life of your investment. In our next post, we’ll discuss common issues that can arise with carbide and cover set-ups and how to avoid them.

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Understanding the Carbide & Cover Snow Plow Blade Set-up:

1. What is a Carbide and Cover Set-up?
2. Why You Need a Steel Cover Blade.
3. Selecting the Right Blades.
4. Mastering Alignment, Installation, and Use of Plow Guards.
5. Why Carbide and Cover Set-ups Don’t Work.
6. Streamlining Snow Removal with All-in-One Carbide and Cover Blade Systems.
7. Optimizing Your Carbide and Cover Blade Set-up for Peak Performance.